Newborns need comfortable, soft clothes that are easy to launder and simple to put on and take off. Cotton is a good choice because it’s breathable, gentle on baby skin and washes well. Babies also tend to overheat easily, so layering is important. During the summer, lightweight onesies are ideal and in winter, extra-thick blankets or (if you’re out and about) footed pajamas will keep your baby warm and cozy.
The best baby clothing is made from organic cotton, a sustainable and eco-friendly fabric. In addition to being safer for babies with sensitive skin, organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals that pollute the environment and water supplies. Organic cotton fabrics are often made with sustainable dyes as well, further reducing the environmental footprint of the clothing production process.
If you’re shopping for a newborn, try to avoid buying too many fancy outfits and focusing on practical clothing essentials like bodysuits and sleepers instead. Babies spend most of their time in onesie-style garments, so having several to rotate will make laundry easier and less stressful.
It’s also a great idea to buy multi-use items that can serve more than one function, such as rompers that double as sleepers and swaddle blankets that can be used as burp cloths or nursing covers. That way, you can save money on more expensive outfits and reduce the number of laundry loads you need to do.
A good brand to consider when purchasing newborn clothing is Carter’s, which offers a wide variety of mix-and-match styles in the 0-3 month size that most newborns will grow into within a few weeks after birth. Their clothes are designed with new parents in mind, so they are comfortable, stretchy and easy to dress.
For example, their shirts feature envelope necks, which are easier to get over a tiny baby’s head. Their rompers have full leg and back openings for easy nappy changes and fold-over scratch mitts at the arms, which help to prevent young babies from accidentally scratching themselves.
It’s also a good idea to purchase cotton pajamas in multiple sizes, as babies will likely be growing into them quickly. And be sure to wash all new clothing before wearing it to remove any residual chemicals from the manufacturing process and to ensure that it’s comfortable against your baby’s sensitive skin.